WASHINGTON—Cardinal William H. Keeler, retired archbishop of Baltimore and president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) from 1992-1995, was a “servant of priestly virtue and gentlemanly manner,” said Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, president of USCCB. He was greatly known for his work as a faith leader in ecumenism and interreligious affairs.

Cardinal Keeler, who retired in 2007, died March 23 at St. Martin’s Home for the Aged in Baltimore. He was 86.

Cardinal DiNardo’s statement follows:

This morning, the Lord called home His Eminence William Cardinal Keeler, a servant of priestly virtue and gentlemanly manner. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops remembers his generosity of spirit in service to his brothers and the people of God, especially the Cardinal’s time as president from 1992 to 1995. We offer prayers of gratitude for Cardinal Keeler’s return to the Lord he so dearly loved.

As a priest, Bishop of Harrisburg, and Archbishop of Baltimore, the Cardinal worked to bring the hope of Christ to people’s lives. He also built bridges of solidarity to people of other faiths as a leader in ecumenism and interreligious affairs. Cardinal Keeler was a dear friend. The most fitting tribute we can offer is to carry forward his episcopal motto in our daily lives: “Do the work of an evangelist.”